To say the least my plate is full! :) Thank God I love what I do.
I want to speak about my MMA fighter to point out why a new outlook on training is far better than bodybuilding routines when your an athlete. There is a place for bodybuilding routines in our training if used appropriately.
So jumpin right in I started her off on a new workout. Different than she has ever done (she trained with others before me). The first phase included a max strength program and incorporating power for speed and reactivity. The last and only fight I saw she had heavy feet. I have no idea what training she did, but I knew what she didn't do. And I know she was in an overtrained state.
So we know she lacked these qualities in her training:
- Power and Plyometrics
- Recovery
So after a month of a modified version of "The West", a few stats to hint at - the fighter's shirts begin to get a little tight, the arms a little more buff and can deep squat far better than before. Well she never went that low before. Her squat has improved about 15lbs, but consequently I make damn sure she does it right before we go for it. Her bench improved by 30lbs - 135 1RM. Not bad.
We've started phase two and it's quite demanding as I just found out a fight may be scheduled within the next month which is barely any notice...But we're 2 weeks into a high output training phase and always incorporating the max strength/power part of the training.
She's on her own a lot because she just wanted a program from me and I can't help but try to sneak in on occasion to check things out. Looks like she will be signing up for some indiviual sessions to further that progress.
She looks good. She's in shape and a big portion of that comes from the recovery side which seems to get neglected a lot.
I think now my point of talking about her is this...She is not use to change like most folks hittin the gym. I removed isolative arm work from the workout (really any isolative work) during phase 2. She's like, "Why are we not doing bi's and tri's? I tried to explain in short how much work her arms were getting in the big movements we were doing such as - chin ups, etc.
People hittin the gym have to know what they are training for. If you plan on doing a bunch of posing then I guess go to town on your favorite exercises. We all know what they are! But if you plan on gettin in the ring or playing a sport where there are chaotic segments in the game (unpredictable at that) you best train for those elements.
There are reasons why there are Pros and Amateurs, those at the top and those below...
It comes from a system. It is true some are born champions...BUT CHAMPIONS are also made!
Now, to take the slack off my lil' MMA fighter she has been fully compliant from day 1 and loves it. It's just the thought of change that lingers.
